Open pairs means that each partner has to have at least the first level freeskate test, but one partner could have a much higher freeskate test than the other.

There is a whole category of similar pairs in varsity skating, and there are several coaches involved with varsity that also teach at the Kitchener club that have experience with boy/girl pairs. Ask your own coach who they are.

edited: To answer that question, "similar" pairs means that it can be girl-girl pairs, as 99% of varsity skating is female. They'll do death spirals though, CRAZY !

Thankyou for the info everyone I know that KWSC is a very good club, im so blessed to live just accross the street!

Talking to Chris Wirtz is a bit intimidating, the pairs session he is on is with Moore-Towers/Moscovitch, Gaskell/Jones, Bobak/Penasse etc.. I've watched a few sessions and all the girls seem so small and they are all amazing skaters.

Do you think he'd want to coach a non- competitive level team?

Try a different tactic - ask him if he could give you some guidance on starting out and ask him to RECOMMEND a coach for a new, non-competitive team. He might volunteer himself (for pay, of course) or suggest someone else. Many of the top coaches have other coaches that they work with regularly in a team-coaching manner. It's a much less awkward way to find out if he's interested.

The disadvantage of having a coach with high-level students is that they are often away during the competitive season, in order to accompany their teams/skaters.

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I think Chris uses a team teaching approach like many of the top training centers in Canada do. He would likely have one of the other coaches assigned to you a your main coach. If your nervous about approaching him, a you really shouldn't be, you could try approaching Christie, his wife, who also coaches there.

Also approach him as a team, it may help with the nerves and will be an indication that you have both already committed to being a team.